BY BILLY GRAY

Chick-fil-A, the controversial fast food franchise, may be expanding in the Big Apple some time soon if retail brokers get their way.

From high-end luxury brands to regional food concepts, and, yes, Chick-fil-A, real estate professionals yesterday offered The Commercial Observer hints of deals they hope to seal before next year's journey to Sin City.

Fresh off the announcement of a 38,000-square-foot Ralph Lauren store in the Coca-Cola Building at 711 Fifth Avenue, Richard Hodos, executive vice president of tristate retail at CBRE, said his sights are now set on bringing a luxury apparel, shoe, accessories and jewelry tenant he declined to name to an address on Madison Avenue in the 60s. Mr. Hodos said the tenant is inching toward a deal for 7,000 square feet on that famed corridor.

More accessible, tenants that are on their way to a bulked up Manhattan presence include Chick-fil-A and Birdbath Bakery, Josh Siegelman of Winick told The Commercial Observer.

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BY AL BARBARINO

The James Hotel in Soho has been sold, just three years after its grand opening, city records confirm.

Published reports earlier this month quoted the sale at $85 million, but the city officially recorded the sale price at $83.4 million.

Global real estate investment and development company Brack Capital Real Estate announced earlier this month that it would be selling the property, while assuring investors and the media that Denihan Hospitality Group – and Chef David Burke – would continue to manage the hotel’s operations and its menu, respectively.

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BY AL BARBARINO

Real estate owners and developers Alfa Development and Park-It Management have snagged a development site at 117-119 West 21st Street in Chelsea for $12 million, where they plan to construct a high-end residential development, The Commercial Observer has learned.

The site is currently occupied by a four-story vacant warehouse with 44 feet of frontage and distinguished what brokers described as a unique double cut curb, which is zoned for up to 32,489 square feet.

“The major driver in the sale was the site’s prime Chelsea location, the fact that it is vacant, has no encumbrances and is in ready condition for immediate redevelopment,” said Eastern Consolidated’s Alan Miller, who represented the buyer exclusively with David Schechtman and Paul Nigido. To read the full story, click here

BY MICHAEL EWING

Mortgage Bankers Association of New York is hosting a spring networking event at Inc. Lounge. Be sure to bring a colleague and your business cards!
MBA of New York, Spring Networking Event, Inc. Lounge, 224 West 49th Street, 6-8 p.m.; call (516) 997-3707 for more information.

IREM is hosting its monthly luncheon meeting with keynote speaker Vincent Bove, a leadership and security educator. The luncheon will focus on safeguarding people and property.
IREM: May Monthly Luncheon, The Union League Club, 38 East 37th Street, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; visit www.iremnyc.com for more information.